Working with sign language interpreters

The short answer

When a sign language interpreter is present, talk directly to the Deaf or hard-of-hearing person, not to the interpreter. Speak at a natural pace, pause slightly more often than usual, and expect a short lag while your words are interpreted. On a video call, make sure the interpreter and the signer are both clearly visible: hands, face and upper body in frame, good lighting, a plain background, and a video layout that keeps the interpreter on screen at all times.

The details depend on your role. A hearing participant, a Deaf signer and a meeting organizer each have different tasks. The interpreter may be in the room, joining remotely by video, or interpreting a phone call through a relay service. The sections below cover each case where the difference matters.

Terms worth knowing

Term | What it means

Sign language interpreter | A professional who interprets between a signed language, such as American Sign Language (ASL), and a spoken language, such as English. ASL is a separate language with its own grammar. It is not signed English.

Certified Deaf Interpreter (CDI) | A Deaf interpreter who sometimes works alongside a hearing interpreter, for example when a signer uses a regional or non-standard variety of sign language or when the situation calls for specialized communication.

Video Remote Interpreting (VRI) | An interpreter joins a meeting or appointment by video instead of in person.

Video Relay Service (VRS) | A service that lets a Deaf signer place or receive a phone call with a hearing person. The signer sees an interpreter on video, and the interpreter voices the conversation to the hearing caller.

Team interpreting | Two interpreters take turns during long or demanding sessions, typically switching at intervals.

How to communicate through an interpreter

• Look at and speak to the Deaf person. Say "What time works for you?" rather than "Ask her what time works."
• Expect everything you say to be interpreted, including side comments. Don't ask the interpreter to leave something out.
• Speak at your normal pace, pause between ideas, and give the interpreter a moment to finish before you move on.
• Take turns. Interpreters can render only one speaker at a time, so cross-talk gets lost.
• When you ask a question, wait for the answer. The reply comes after the interpretation lag, so a pause is not a sign of confusion.
• Spell out names, acronyms and technical terms, or share them in writing beforehand. Fingerspelling unfamiliar words takes time.
• Don't ask the interpreter for personal opinions or bring them into the conversation as a participant. Their job is to interpret, and professional interpreters generally follow a code of conduct that includes confidentiality and impartiality.
• If you show slides or point at something, describe it out loud and leave time for the Deaf person to look at the visual and then back at the interpreter. They can't watch both at once.

Preparing ahead as an organizer

• Ask the Deaf participant what they prefer: which sign language, whether they want a specific interpreter or agency, and whether they need any other accommodation, such as live captions.
• Book the interpreter early and confirm whether the session is in person or remote.
• Send the interpreter an agenda, slides, speaker names and specialized vocabulary in advance.
• For long sessions, ask the agency whether a team of interpreters is needed.
• In the US, many businesses, public services and healthcare providers have obligations under the Americans with Disabilities Act to provide effective communication, which can include qualified interpreters. What applies to your situation depends on the setting, so check the rules that cover your organization rather than assuming.

Setting up video calls with an interpreter

Signed language is visual, so the video has to carry hand shapes, movement and facial expressions, which are part of the grammar. Each of the following must work on its own: the browser or app has permission to use the camera, the camera actually produces a picture, and the call delivers that picture clearly to everyone else. A camera that works in a test can still look blurry or choppy to others if the connection is weak.

Camera framing

• Frame from roughly the top of the head to the waist, with room on both sides for the signing space.
• Keep the camera at about eye level and steady. A propped-up laptop or a mounted webcam works better than a handheld phone.
• Leave enough distance that your hands don't go out of frame when you sign near the edges.

Lighting and clothing

• Light your face and hands from the front. A bright window or lamp behind you turns you into a silhouette.
• Avoid strong shadows across your face, since expressions carry meaning.
• Solid clothing that contrasts with your skin tone makes hand shapes easier to read than busy patterns. Interpreters often wear solid dark or neutral colors for this reason.

Background

A plain, uncluttered physical background, such as a solid wall, is the most reliable choice. Virtual backgrounds and background blur are software effects applied during the call, and they can cut off or smear fast-moving hands and fingers. If you are a signer or an interpreter, test the effect first or turn it off. Edited photo backgrounds, like a replaced backdrop in a still image, are a separate matter and don't affect a live call.

Keeping the interpreter visible

• Many video-call platforms let you pin or spotlight a participant so their video stays visible regardless of who is speaking. Use that for the interpreter, and for the Deaf signer if others need to see them. Feature names and availability vary by platform and plan, so check your platform's settings rather than assuming a specific option exists.
• Speaker-follow layouts that jump to whoever is talking can hide the interpreter. Switch to a pinned or gallery layout instead.
• When screen sharing, check that the interpreter's video still appears for the Deaf participant and isn't replaced by the shared content.
• If a team of interpreters is used, organizers may need to pin or spotlight whichever interpreter is currently active.

Connection and audio

• A stable connection matters more for signers than for most speakers. Fingerspelling and fast signs break up first when video is compressed or freezes. Close bandwidth-heavy apps, and use a wired connection if possible.
• The interpreter needs to hear speakers clearly. Speakers should use a working microphone and mute when not talking. A microphone being detected, or a level meter moving, doesn't guarantee the audio is clear. Do a brief test with someone who can confirm what they hear.
• If the video freezes, the Deaf participant or interpreter may need to ask for a repeat. Build in time for that.

Before the call: a quick check

• Camera permission granted in the browser or app and in the operating system's privacy settings.
• Preview shows your hands and face, well lit, with no virtual background clipping your fingers.
• The interpreter has the meeting details and any preparation materials.
• You know how to pin or spotlight participants on your platform.
• A short test with the interpreter or Deaf participant confirms both sides can see and hear clearly.

Phone calls through a relay service

If a Deaf person calls you through a video relay service, you will hear an interpreter's voice. Talk to the caller as you would on any phone call. Speak in the first person, don't address the interpreter, and allow for the same interpretation lag. The interpreter may introduce the call as a relay call at the start. Don't hang up thinking it is a sales call.

What this guide doesn't cover

No specific figures, prices, booking timelines, credential requirements or platform-specific settings were available for this guide, so none are given. For costs, availability and qualifications, contact interpreter agencies or your organization's accessibility office. In the US, the national professional association for interpreters maintains a registry of certified interpreters. For video features, check your call platform's current documentation.